The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-01-12

Eastern Asylum, 81, 1884 The purpose for
which this money was collected HAS been an
swered, and this surplus remains
Under our present statutes this surplus can
only be used TO meet the SPECIFIC purposes TOP
which II has been collected. and should not DO
Hence IL follows that some provision should DO
made to place this surplus in the State treas
ury-the source from which most Of IL has
been drawn. The boards should use every eff
fort To keep the estimates near the actual cost
possible, yet II a sum romans sound policy
dictates that IL should be- turned over TO the
general fund in the State Treasury, and do
most earnestly recommend that the law be SO
amended to require the treasurer OF each
institution 10 pay over to the State Treasurer
any surp us so arising and in his hands ON the
first day of January each year This will be in
harmony with the provisions regulating other
funds.
The extensive coast line SO nearly surround
ing our State, we'll the great number of
small inland lakes, render the fishing interest
OF great importance. Ii is undeniabe that the
fish add largely To the food products and thus
to the wealth of the State. For the purpose OF
protecting and propagating this interest
That it has accomplished something
in the direction OF the purpose for
which itwas created is apparent. But investi-
CATION has led me to believe that the commits
sion ought to be abolished or its powers OF
fulness increased. Fish have been planted in
great and small waters too often to be prema-
turely caught ont and DESTROYED No adeouate
provision has been made To guard the invest
ment In some localities where FISH have been
planted, while yet small ana worthless Tor FOOD,
they have been caught out and used for fertiliz-
ing purposes In order To reap the benefit OF the
commission, would recommend that to them
be given authority to appoint wardens whose
duties IL shall be 10 watch and guard the depos-
| its of fish when made.
Only portion of the people, in the very ma
ture of the case, can DO benefited by the COM
mission or it's operation. In other cases special
interests pay the expense OF inspection and pro-
lection. Salt inspection is paid by the manu-
facturer, oil inspection by the dealers, and
most earnestly recommend that the fish inter-
ests be required to pay the expense incurred in
propagation aud protection. nder the present
law the annual expense Is not far from $1,000.
| The appointment of wardens will add TO this
| expense, and / trust that the powers of the
| board will be enlarged and that provisions be
made for placing charge upon seines sufficient
| TO defray all expenses.
THE DAIRY INTERESTS.
There is no interest in the State, agricultural
or otherwise, that is called to encounter more
difficulties than this very important one. IL is
| attacked ON the one side by counterfeit pro-
| ducts, and on the other by deadly and conta-
| gious diseases among cattle. The Dairyman's
Association ask for Il small appropriation to aid
| them in the work of advancing and improving
dairy interests, and tr ust that their wants may
be favorably considered.
| CoMMIssI NER OF RAILROADS.
This commission was established in 1873.
The following figures will indicate the growth
of this great interest It's progress has certain
| ly kept pace with our increase of population
| and wealth in other branches OF industry.
1873. 1885,
Miles of railroad. ...... 1928 $500
Gross earnings .......... S35, ,OC0 ST7,OE,OOO
Passengers carried. 100000 23OOO,oOo
| Locomotives .............. 1922 2,7O6
| Cars OF all kinds .......... 3O675 S4,lS3
1t will be seen that the business and property
| of the railroads of the State have more than
| doubled in twelve years but with this increase
| in miles of road, property, and business, there
| has been no increase in the force provided for
| the commission. The railroad engineers re-
| specially ask for the appointment of an assist
ant who shall be an expert, and shall be ap-
| pointed in the same manner as the deputy rail
| road commissioner, and thnt his duties shall be
| the thorough examination Of switches, bridges,
| etc They believe this will add additional
| safeguard 70 the property we'll tie lives Of
| themselves and the millions of passengers an
| nually intrusted To their vigilance and fidelity.
| The full report of the Commissioner will be
| within your reach. IL seems to me to be appar-
| ent that the law may be amended so that por-
| ton OF the annual report may be omitted with
| out harm to any interest The reports Of some
| of the railroads in relation to cost and condition
are nearly or quite,a repetition year after year.
II no good purpose is served by tn repeated
publication of al these facts, the law may we'll
be amended in the interest Of economy.
| CAPITAL AND LABOR.
| The relation between capital and labor is ut
tracing widespread attention and the best
! thought Of the nation. The happy solution of
all the questions involved has not yet been
| reached. For the purpose of gathering facts
| that would aid in arriving ut correct conclu-
| sions the Legislature of 1888 provided for the
appointment of Labor Commission, and
it was made his duty to collect, system
| atize, and annually report statistical details
| relating TO oil departments of labor in the
| State. Many OF the hardships of which COM
plant is made beyond the reach of legisla-
| tion but arbitration of differences should he
| encouraged anu provided for, il necessary.
Disseminated labor renders capital cautious and
| tmld, and this tiInidity reacts and INJURIES
! labor The first duty of law is to guard and
protect humanity. 10 do this the home and
other property interests must be protected My
| anxious desire is to see such course pursued
| "a shall remove all unnecessary burdens from
the toilers. Every possible opportunity should
| be afforded aud encouragement extended 70
| them that the wisdom OF the lawmaker can de-
wise. IL will give me great pleasure to cooper
| ate with you in devising means that will aid in
| lettering the condition and elevating the toilers
| of our State The statistics gathered by the
| Commissioner Of Labor are commended to your
attention.
SIGNAL SERVICE.
The United States signal service department
| has detailed officer and made provision to
establish a station Mt Lansing Ths benefits To
be- derived through this service are as yet but
partially understood but its claims are such rs
| TO challenge your careful attention.
| SUBMISSION OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
believe that when any considerable portion
OF tho people desire To express themselves by
| voting upon n change in the organic law, they
ought t. be allowed to do so in Il constitutional
| manner. IL is believed that large number a
our citizens, realizing the evils of intemperance
dosire To express their convictions in relation tc
| the question of an amendment t. the constitu
ton prohibiting the manufacture and sale OF in.
| toxcating liquors. And IL is earnestly hoped
that in compliance with this sentiment you will
at an early day adopt such IL Joint resolution.
Many subjects not embraced I'm this commu-
nication will claim attention ut your hands.
Our State finances are in their usual excel
lent condition. While there is little or no un.
appropriated money in the State Treasury, vet
legitimate demands upon il are ut all times
promptly met.
PARDoNING POWER.
This is n subject i'm which individuals rs well
as the public deeply Interested and upon
which it seems proper for me TO here define
the policy that will guide my action in its exer
! else.
Two years ago the Legislature provided foi
an Advisory Beard OF Pardons. This was Judi
| cious. but the Governor cannot escape the
obligation imposed upon him by the Constitu
| ton, and with him the power and authority
rests. IL we were TO follow tho prompt IS oil
| sympathy with those whose liberty is restrained
| and with their friends aud relatives, the prison
| doors would be oponcd and the inmates allowed
| 10 depart. But law and order must be main
| tanned, and the lives and properly Of the citi
| zen protected. Men rot placed in prison
| simply 70 punish them. And whilo the Chris
tian civilization OF the age prompts Efforts q
reform criminals. yet this is not tho purpose Of
| incarceration. Tho roHl object is to pre-
vent the commission Of crime, aud to thii
end all legislative and executive actor
| should tend. Tie most cIiectual romedy
| against the commission Of crimo is the
| certainty Of punislImeiit. firmly believe thai
the free exercise OF tho par,ioning power on
courages crime. IL removes element from
the certainty of punishment. And again very
few can push thei: Gain : ior pardon withou